What child skulls actually look like

dead-men-talking:

Because Tumblr tends to go “zomg child skull!!!!” with zero (0) evidence or knowledge of human anatomy.

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Source: Bone Clones (highly realistic fake bones that are totally ethical to buy and own!)

Child skulls tend to have very large foreheads and round eye sockets compared to the face. Teeth (if there are any) are kind of stubby and cartoonish.

Compare to these an adult human female European:

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We tend to get to this point by more or less 20 years. Note that everything is much more proportional. Full mandible for all 32 teeth (give or take). Sutures may still be visible, but there definitely won’t be a fontanelle (soft spot) on top. 

Finally, here’s an elderly European male:

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Loss of dentition makes the bone resorb. This also tends to make the orbits look larger. I guess I can see this being confused for a child.

So. This is my holiday gift to you all. Also, don’t fucking buy real human skulls!!!!

Hugs and kisses,

Dead Men Talking

MA, Biological Anthropology